THE daily struggle of finding a reliable handyman for home renovations is a struggle most Fijians know only too well, says EasyBusy Founder Mohammed Shamir Sharukh Khan.
Mr Khan said the no shows; substandard work and the endless delays became the blueprint for what he calls a digital revolution that has now caught the eye of global investors in the Middle East.
The Lovu, Lautoka lad and founder of EasyBusy has achieved what many in the Pacific startup scene only dream of a bridge to the multi-billion-dollar markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the United Arab Emirates.
His startup, a proptech (property technology) marketplace, has been selected by Dubai headquartered FasterCapital for its EquityPilot program.
The FasterCapital pilot program is a comprehensive service that guides businesses through a nine-stage journey to transform a raw idea into a market-ready reality.
Mr Khan said the EasyBusy platform is being tailored with multilingual features and integrated payments to serve the diverse markets of the GCC, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
His journey began when he was working as a General Manager for a signage company.
“I realised the problem, seeing how hard it was for my boss to do the renovations because of not being able to find the right person for the job,” he said.
Mr Khan said that realisation sparked a mission to create a mobile app that would not only help the people of Fiji but bolster the national economy.
“One of the biggest hurdles was access to networks, mentors, and funding opportunities that are often concentrated in larger markets.
“Coming from Fiji, you sometimes feel invisible to global programs, and the challenge is convincing people that innovation can thrive here as well.”
Mr Khan believes that global programs are ready for bold ideas from the islands.
“If you believe that your idea can change the world for the better, never back down or lose hope, just keep going, keep working hard, pay more attention to your details and make others believe in our idea.
“It demonstrates that innovative solutions from Fiji can compete and thrive on the global stage, if I can break through those barriers, so can you.”
Mr Khan also attributed his success to divine intervention.
“I thank the almighty for the courage and guidance.”
EasyBusy Founder Mohammed Shamir Sharukh Khan. Picture: SUPPLIED.
